Control apparatus and system.



P. [.MARDIS. CONTROL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM. APPLI'CATION FILED MAY3.1915.

1,295L915- PatentedMar. 4,1919

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. BY I W a ATTORNEY PAUL L. MARDIS, or ALTOONA, rnuusnvamn, assr'suon T0wnsrmsnoosn and 9 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF TRIO AND UFAGTURING COMPANY,A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

@ cournon arram'rus AND To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that-I, PAUL L. Manors, a' citizen of the United States, anda residentof Altoona, in the county of Blair and State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Apparatus andSystems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to control apparatus and control systems forfluid-actuated devices, and it has special reference to sys-' tems ofremote control for dynamo-electric machines. a v

One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved and simplifiedcontrol apparatus and a control system for governing theoperation of afluid-actuated drum controller for the purpose of controlling theoperation of a plurality of railway motors.

More specifically stated, it is an object of my invention to provide anovel, compact and reliable form of interlocking device that shall, inconjunction with a suitable master controller, be adapted to govern theoperation of an electrically controlled fluidactuated operating deviceby means of which a drum controller is advanced stepby-step through itsseveral positions.

In a co-pending application, Serial No. 724,063, filed October 5, 1912,by N. W.

Storer and A. J. Hall, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company, a control system of this general character isdisclosed, which embodies an interlock control device of therotatable-drum type for the purpose of governing the operation of theelectro-pneumati'c operating mechanism. When an interlock control deviceof this form is provided with a plurality of contact fingers, aconsiderable amount of vertical space is taken up thereby, which eitherunnecessarily increases the longitudinal dimensions of the controller,as a whole, or makes it necessary to crowd the parts of the apparatus inan undesirable manner, and, likewise, increases the cost of manufactureand the Weight of the apparatus.

According to my present invention, I provide a simple and inexpensivereciprocating interlock device which may be compactly assembled and isparticularly economical of longitudinal space and which,

. Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed my 3,1915. SerialNo. 25,497.

- tions.

sysrnmf- Patented moreover,v accomplishes, with reliability andefiectiveness, mer types of rotatable interlock control drums areadapted. j

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 Mar. 4, 1919.-:

the functions for which for-t 'is a diagrammatic view of a system ofcon-' trol and control apparatus: embodying my 80. I invention, and Fig.2 is a diagrammatic view of the interlock control -device,-show- V ingthe circuit connections thereof in their various posltions.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus shown comprises a supply circuit1- -G, a

master controller MC, a\ plurality of motors M and M CD and acceleratimatically actuated operatingflevice PK and aninterlock control deviceIO,

The control drum- OD isof the usual drum type and comprises a pluralityof movable conducting segments 5, 6 and 7, thatare adapted tocooperatively engage a plurality of stationary contact terminals 13, 14,15, 16 and 17 along the position-indicating linesa, b, c, d, e and f forthe purpose of arranging the circuit connections of the resistor R andthe motors M and M which are adapted to receiveenergy from the supplycircuit which conveniently a ma n control dri'1mng resistor R, a pneui.

comprises the trolley conductofil and the ground G. a

The fluid-actuated operating device PK is of a well-known type andpreferably comprises a device similar to that set forth in theco-pending application, hereinbefore referred to, and embodies aplurality of oper ating cylinders 20 and 21 that respectivelycontainmovable pistons 22 and 23 that are mechanically associated by arod 24 that is provided with a rack 25. The outer end of the cylinder 20is suitably connected to'an electrically controlled magnet valve markedOn for the purpose of governing the admission and release of air orother. operating fluid to and from the cylinder 20; while the cylinder21 is similarly provided with an electrically controlled. magnet valvemarked Oil? for performing similar func- The valves referred to, difi'erin Specific construction, the on magnet valve being normally adapted,when denergized, to cut ofi the supply of operating fluid to theassociated cylinder and to establish a communication between'theatmosphere and the cylinder, and, when energized, to operating fluid tothe cylinder. The 01f magnet valve, on the contrary, when deenergized,admits operating fluid to its associated cylinder and, when energized,cuts ofl the supply of fluid and exhausts the fluid from the cylinder.

In order to actuate the control drum CD, a pinion 28 is provided foroperative engagement with the rack 25. Said pinion 28 is connected bymeans of a shaft 29 to the control drum.

The interlock controller IO comprises a supporting member or carrier 30that is provided with a rack 31 for engagement wit the pinion28 and isalso .provided with a air of alined contact strips or segments 33 and 34that are arranged in end-to-end relation and are adapted forreciprocating rectilinear movements in accor ance with the operation ofthe actuating device'PK. The

conducting segments 33 and 34 are conveniently mounted upon blocks 35and 36 of insulating material. A plurality of stationary contactterminals or fingers 40, 41,

42,43, and 44 ments 3 and 34 and are adapted for cooperative. electricalengagement therewith as diflerent posit ons.

35' 1, vice IC set forth, as other types of similar I into its positiona,

I and circuit connections to be as shown in the my invention is notrestricted Obviousl y interlock control dcto the speciflc foim of forengagement therewith upon. the position-indicating lines a b, 0, contactterminals being electrically connected to devices bearing correspondingrefei'ence characters. By suitable mani ulation of the master controllerMC, in con unction with the operation of the interlock controller 10, abattery B is oil and on magnet valves of the operating device PK in suchmanner as 'to eifect the actuation of the control drum GD- through itsseveral steps or positions.

Assuming the various pieces of apparatus drawing, the operation of thesystem is as follows: The master controller MC is first moved to itsposition a, thereby completing a circuit from the battery B whichincludes stationary contact terminal B+ and movable conducting segment46,

admit terminal on" and the energizing coi are disposed in a row in the.line' of movement, of the conducting seg-' and a phi-- d, e and f, saidvadapted to energize the where the cirdivides, one branch includingcontact '1 of the on magnet valve to the battery, and the other branchincluding contact terminal 40, contact terminal 40, conducting segment34, contact terminal 43 and the energizing coil of the off magnet valveto the battery. The magnet valves On and Off, being thus energized, areconcurrently actuated, the on magnet valve being adapted to admitoperating fluid to the cylinder 20, while the off magnet valve isadapted to permit the exhaust of fluid from the cylinder 21 and to outOK the supply of operating fluid. Thus, unbalanced pressures areestablished which act upon the associated pistons 22 and 23 in suchmanner as to eflect the movement thereof in a direction to the righhynswill be understood.

In so doing,

fcuit the controller drum CD interlock controller IC are actuatedthrough 1C becomes disengaged from the conducting- Thus, the 0E magnetvalve segment 34.

said valve returns is deenergized, whereby are, therefore, brought torest cated instep a OfFIg. 2. -1:' v 7 As soon as the control dru GD ismoved conductor 1 through the motors M and .to its initial position andeffects balanced pressures in thecylinders 20 and 21; The control drumCD and interlockcontrolle'r 10-1; 1. The lposi tion of theinterlock/controllerlCfis ndi- T a circuit from the trolle isestablished, which includes trolleyT, con-j tact terminal 8, conductingsegment 5, conl tact terminal 9, accelerating IGSlStOIR, con-. tactterminals 11 and 13, motor M contact terminals 16 and 15, conductingsegment 6, contact terminal 14 and motor M to the ground G. The motors,therefore, are connected in series-circuit relation and are started intooperation.

- In, order to increase the speed of the motors M and M the mastercontroller MC may be moved to position b, in which another circuit iscompleted from conducting segment 46 which includes conducting terminal41', contact terminal 41, conducting segment 34, contact terminal 43 andenergizing coil of the ,ofl magnet'valve to the battery. Thus, the offmagnet valve is again energized, and unbalanced pressure conditions areestablished, which results in.

gaged from the conducting segment 34, as"

shown in step b of Fig. 2. Thus, the oil magnet valve is againde'cnergized, and further movements of the apparatus are arrested.

In position b of the control drum CD, the upper section of the resistorR is excluded from the circuit of the motors M and M and the speedthereof is, therefore increased.

The master controller may then be moved into position 0, in which acircuit is estab lished from conducting segment 46 which includescontact terminal 42' contact terminal 42, conducting segment 34, contactterminal 43 and the energizing coil of the off magnet valve to thebattery. Upon the renergization of the magnet valve Off, the operatingdevice PK again becomes active and advances the controller drum CD andinterlock controller IC into position c'where the movement is arrestedby reason 'of the disengagement of contact terminal 42 from conductingsegment 34, as shown in stepc of Fig. 2.

In position 0 of the control drum CD,

the second section of the accelerating'resistor R is excluded from themotor circuit, and the motors M and M therefore, are permitted toincrease their speed further.

As the "master controller MC is' then moved to position d, the contactterininals 40', 41' and 42' become disengaged from the conductingsegment 46, immediately; after which, the contact terminal 44 becomesengagecl therewith and. a circuit is established i of Fig. 2.. a.

fwhichincliides contact terminal 44', contact terminal 44, conductingsegment 34,"'cont a'ct.-- terminal 43]andenergizing coil of the ofii?v'ma'gnet valve to'the battery'B. ,Thei'eupon, the magnet valve Ofi isenergized,'-and the. I resulting .unbalancedpressure conditions. withinthe cylinders 20 and '21-, effects the" actuation of the controller CDand interlock. v

' "related motors M andM Although I have shown and described my deviceLIC -until the control drum C'D o'c-.

cupies itsf'position d in whichthe cont-act f terminal 43 becomesdisengaged from theconducting segment 34, as shown in' 'step d Inpositional of the main control drum DC, themotor circuitincludesrt-rolley T,

contact terminals 8, conducting segment 5,. contact terminal 10,resistor Randcontact .terminals 11 and 13, where the circuit di-' vides,on e branch traversing the motor M contact terminalglfi, conductingsegment 7.

and contact terminal 17 to theground G,

' while the otherjbranch includes conducting 1 segment i6, contactterminal 14, and, motor -M to the ground-G. Themotors M and y M are,therefore, connected in parallel relation and in seriesgwith theaccelerating resistance, and, therefore, the motor speed is increased;

In moving from position cl to position e,

- ste the conducting segment 46 becomes disengaged from contact terminalv44', after which the contact terminal 40' is brought into engagementtherewith to establish a circuit which also includes contact terminal40, conducting segment 33, contact terminal 43, and the energizing coilof the ofl' magnet valve to the battery. Thereupon, the off magnet valveis energized and efi'ects the exhaust of fluid from cylinder 21, therebyproducing unbalanced pressure conditions which serve to advance theoperating device PK and associated control drums CD and IG to theirpositions e. 'When the interlock controller IC reaches position 0, itscontact terminal 40 becomes disengaged from v. the conducting segment33, as shown in step 'fact that the upper section of the acceleratingresistor R is excluded from the circuit. n the last position ofthemaster icontroller, position-f, the contact terminal '41 is energized,and a circuit is completed which alsoincludes contact terminal 41,conducting segment 33, contact terminal 43 and energizing coil ofthe oflmagnet valve. .As the oif magnet valve is actuated to release operatingfluid from'cy1inder-21, the main control drum 'CD and-interlockcontrdller' IO are advanced into theirlast-position f,

, in which position -further"movement. thereof is arrested by thedisengagement-(if thecorn, tact terminal"41 -fromthe conducting 'segment33 of the interlock controller: 1G,.the I circuit 7 connectionsl'gbeing'a s'findic ated 5 in f- 1 e'm'ain control drum CD, in'movmg intoitsposition ,f,-excludes the last section 'of the resistor R andtherebyestablishes fullies speed running connections for the parallel- ,l

invention as embodying apparatus and .cir-

cuit connections of more .or less specific character, many modificationstherein may .be effected without departing from the spirit I and scopeof'my invention and such modifications are intended tof'be covered bythe appended claims. 7 w

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a contact incur;-

ber.- fluid-operated 7 means a for moving said contact member, aplurality'of electricallycontrolled magnet-valves for governing theoperation of said fluid means, and a controller for selectivelygoverning the operation of said magnet-valves, of a plurality ofindependent contact fingers adapted for sliding engagement with saidmember and displaced from each other in the line of movement of saidmember.

' bers.

2. The combination with a plurality of contact members, a fluid-operateddevice for giving said members a rectilinear movement, two magnet-valvesfor controlling the operation of said device, and means for governingthe operation of said valves to effect a step by step movement of saidcontact members, of a plurality of stationary contact fingers adapted toengage said members and disposed in a row in the line of movement of 7said members.

' 3. In combination, a contact member adapted for rectilinear movement,a fluidioperated device for moving sald member, a plurality ofelectrically controlled magnetvalves for governing the operation of saiddevice, and means comprising a plurality of contact fingers disposed ina rowin the line of movement of said contact member and cooperatingtherewith for selectively operat-.

ing said magnet-valves 4. The combinatlon wlth a devlce to be actuated,an actuator therefor and a plurality of electrically controlled magnetvalves for governing the operation of said actuator,

of 'an interlocking device associated with said member to be actuatedand adapted to govern the energization of only one of said magnet valvesand comprising a plurality of movable contact members disposed inendto-end relation, and a plurality of cooperating stationary contactmembers disposed in the line of movement of said contact mem- 5. Thecombination with a member to be actuated, an electrically controlledpneumati cally operated device for operating said member, and a mastercontroller for governing the operation of said electrically controlleddevice, of interlocking means associated with said member to be actuatedfor cooperating with said master controller for controlle governing arotatable'control drum having a plurality of positions for governing theoperation thereof, an electrically controlled pneumatically actuateddevice for moving'said control drum through its'positions, of areciproeating interlock control device adapted to be actuated by saidoperating device and comprising a plurality of movable alined contactmembers and an alined row of contact fingers normally adapted to engageone of said contact members for the purpose of governing the operationof said electrically controlled pneumatic device and a master controllerassociated with certain 01 the fingers of said interlock control devicefor cooperating therewith to determine the operation of said rotatablecontrol drum.

7. The combination with an electrically controlled fluid-actuateddevice, a movable rack associated therewith and an auxiliary interlockdevice comprising a movable contact member and a plurality of stationarycontact fingers in alinement therewith, of a rack associated with saidauxiliary interlock device and a pinion cooperatively engaging both ofsaid racks, whereby rectilinear movements are imparted to said movablecontact member in accordance with the movements of said fluid-actuateddevice.

8. The combination with an actuating device adapted for rectilinearmovements, and a plurality of alined movable contact mem bersmechanically associated therewith and adapted for rectilinear movements,of a plurality of stationary contact fingers disposed in a row parallelto the line of movement of said contact members and adapted to havecontact drum a movement of rotation and for giving said contract membersa movement of translation, of a plurality of sta-.

tionary contact fingers adapted to engage said contact members anddisposed in a row in the line of movement of said members.

11. The combination with a contact drum, contact members and pneumaticmeans for simultaneously giving said contact drum a movement of rotationand said contact members a movement of translation, of a plurality ofindependent contact fingers adapted for engagement with said contactmembers and displaced from each other in the line of movement of saidcontact members.

12. The combination with a contact drum, a plurality of contact members,pneumatic means for simultaneously giving said drum a movement ofrotation and said contact members a movement of translation, andmagnet-valves for controlling said pneumatic means, of a plurality ofcontact fingers adapted to engage said contact members and disposed in arow in the line of movement of said members.

13. The combinationwith a contact drum,

two contact members, a pneumatic device for simultaneously giving saidcontact drum a movement of rotatlon and saidcontact members a movementof translatlon, and two magnet-valves for :controlling saidpneusubscribed my name this 27 day of April,

matic device, of a controller and means com- 1915.: prising saidcontroller and said contact 1 7 members for governing the operation ofsaid Witnesses:

5 magnet-valves. I ALEX. WEIR, In'testimony whereof, I have hereuntoPERRY H. WEDGE.

PAUE L. MARDIS.

